Cleaning used tow

[Cody B]

After almost 3 decades of shooting these guns I finally tried cleaning with tow for the first time. I really didn’t expect great results, but afterwards was really surprised how much easier it was to clean and how clean my gun was. I’ve never had a rifle especially the one I cleaned, clean up so fast. It’s my understanding that you can reuse the tow again. So what’s the best way to get the tow back in shape to reuse?

[rich pierce]

Sometimes you can find a mesh travel bag about the size of a grapefruit with a drawstring. Put it in there and throw it in the laundry. Depending on mesh size you’re good to go or made a big mess. Throwing it in a bucket with some detergent overnight then successive tinsss will not make it look clean but it will work just fine.

[wattlebuster]

I just rinse it out under the kitchen faucet an let it dry. Works for me

[recurve]

Look up Nate McKenzie (no longer with us) he had a "utube" or short film on using tow/cleaning muzzleloaders  , I believe here on ALR.

[JW]

Rinse, dry. Reuse. Once it's beyond use for cleaning, put it in the tinder box and use for fire starting.

[Molly]

Tow is much less expensive than patches and does a better job.  One "wad" with a little adjustment will clean a gun from start to finish.  If I get a good tight wind on the worm I'll just leave it in place for the next time.  Townsend sells a 4 oz bag for $5.50.  Sounds like a small quantity but it's plenty for the price.  I'm still on the first bag since last June.  Given the cost little motivation to wash it.

[JW]

Tow less expensive than patches? I didn't know anyone paid for cleaning patches, but then I recycle just about every piece of cotton, linen, or wool fabric I come across. Maybe others don't.  I have paid for tow, however. I do agree, though, that a little goes a long way.

[Mike from OK]

Tow is much less expensive than patches and does a better job.  One "wad" with a little adjustment will clean a gun from start to finish.  If I get a good tight wind on the worm I'll just leave it in place for the next time.  Townsend sells a 4 oz bag for $5.50.  Sounds like a small quantity but it's plenty for the price.  I'm still on the first bag since last June.  Given the cost little motivation to wash it.

Last I checked, the Townsend's tow is made from hemp instead of flax. Is there a difference in flax vs hemp performance-wise?

Mike

[rich pierce]

Mike, depends on where you’re using it. Hemp tow is a little more scratchy.

I’m sure plenty of different kinds of fibers were used to clean guns.

[Molly]

I suspect Mr. Pierce is correct.  "Tow" in the day, probably was any of a variety of plant stem fibers that were available and could be shredded into a suitable form.
So maybe we start looking at the weed crop in the fence rows and make our own.

[Mike from OK]

Thank you Molly and Rich.

Makes sense.

I know jute is very flammable... Will hemp and flax tow take a spark well? (Can't hurt to get more than one use out of an item if you're carrying it....gun cleaning AND emergency tinder)

Mike

[rich pierce]

None of these fibers will take a spark from flint and steel unless charred, in my experience. If charred they are great.

[smylee grouch]

Uncharred TOW does make a great birds nest for your charr cloth. 

[Cody B]

Thanks for the reply’s. I got my tow and a worm at Ft Fredrick about six years ago. I believe from smiling fox forge. Put it up and forgot about it until a few weeks ago. Thought I would try cleaning with it to see how it works. I’ve been trying to do things more like they would have done them in years gone bye. All I used to clean was tow, water 1 patch just to make sure it really was clean and wd40 to lubricate. It worked better than patches and moose milk or any modern cleaner I’ve ever tried. I plan to clean this way from now on.

[yulzari]

If you wash and dry your tow then you can card it back to suppleness the same way as one cards wool. So if you know a wool spinner you can get them to card it or buy a cheap pair of carding pads off t'internet or a craft supplier. For the terminally short armed deep pocketed folk you can just rub it hard between your hands to soften it.

[WadePatton]

I suspect Mr. Pierce is correct.  "Tow" in the day, probably was any of a variety of plant stem fibers that were available and could be shredded into a suitable form.
So maybe we start looking at the weed crop in the fence rows and make our own.

Those who grow things could likely grow some flax and make their own tow. I eat flaxseed meal every single day-so I've long thought of growing some for that and the fiber.  I won't spin but I can process the plants far enough to make tow.  I reckon. 

[Panzerschwein]

Just rinse it in water. The corrosive salts will dissolve. Leftover black residue is mostly carbon and won’t hurt anything.

[Dropbled]

I got a little problem. I am using a metal cleaner and didn’t notice the dirt dripping onto my new carpet. Fortunately my wife was not at home and she did not see everything that was happening. The dirt quickly absorbed into the textiles and was not washed off. There was a big black spot on the white carpet and I didn't know what to do. My neighbor advised me to seek help from https://niftycleaningservices.com.au/upholstery-carpet-steam-cleaning-brisbane/. He told me that they are the best in our city and he regularly turns to them to clean carpets. I immediately called the specialists home to fix the stain on the carpet. After 2 hours, the carpet was absolutely clean and my wife still has no idea what happened.

[OldMtnMan]

I don't bother cleaning tow. No more than i'd clean patches. I buy tow by the pound and throw it away when I use it.

Probably not PC to throw it away but i'll make a compromise with this one.

[Clark Badgett]

I don't bother cleaning tow. No more than i'd clean patches. I buy tow by the pound and throw it away when I use it.

Probably not PC to throw it away but i'll make a compromise with this one.

Why throw it away. If you don't wish to reuse it for cleaning, let it dry out and use it for wadding in your fowler.

[OldMtnMan]

That would be nice but i'm a poor sap and only have the one Hawken.

Just one bamboo fly rod too.

I have no decisions to make in the morning. Just grab what I have and go shoot, fish, or hunt.

It simplifies my life because i'm not good at making decisions. I'll always second guess myself.

[Nessmuck]

How do you char tow fibers ?

[rich pierce]

How do you char tow fibers ?

Put it in a tin that leaves at least half volume of air in addition to what you are charring. Leave a hole in the top of the tin. Put it on hot coals. When the smoke coming out the hole stops burning, let it cool overnight.

[Nessmuck]

How do you char tow fibers ?

Put it in a tin that leaves at least half volume of air in addition to what you are charring. Leave a hole in the top of the tin. Put it on hot coals. When the smoke coming out the hole stops burning, let it cool overnight.

So...pretty much like making char cloth...or charred punk wood.

[rich pierce]

Yep, but it goes fast